Combined golf tee

ABSTRACT

A combined gold tee includes an anchoring member for anchoring to the ground in a golf course, a receptacle member for mounting on the anchoring member to support a golf ball for striking by a golf player with a golf club, a cord member threaded through the anchoring member to link the receptacle member to the anchoring member so that the receptacle member can be collected for repeat uses, and a positioning means, which includes a split block securely provided at a top side of the anchoring member and a split socket securely provided at a bottom side of the receptacle member for engagement with the split block to secure the receptacle member to the anchoring member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a golf tee for use in playing a golf game and more particularly, to a detachable golf tee, which comprises an anchoring member and a reusable receptacle member linked to the anchoring member by a cord member and secured to the anchoring member by a positioning means. The anchoring member can be selectively used with a set of receptacle members of different heights.

2. Description of the Related Art

A golf tee is a stand used to support a golf ball so that the player can strike the golf ball. A conventional golf tee is a solid member made out of wood or plastic material. A solid golf tee will break easily after several uses or when hit by a golf club. Further, when the player hit the golf ball, the golf tee may be forced to jump out of ground, and the player will have to spend a lot of time to find the lost golf tee.

In order to eliminate the aforesaid problem, an auto-return golf tee is developed. As shown in FIG. 10, the auto-return golf tee A is comprised of a receptacle A1, a first spring member A2, a second spring member A3, a barrel A4, a spring holder A5 and an anchor nail A6. When the player strikes a golf ball, the receptacle A1 will be forced away from the anchor nail A6 and then immediately return to its original resting position on the anchor nail A6 by means of the spring force of the first spring member A2 and the second spring member A3. This structure of the auto-return golf tee A is complicated. When one component part of the auto-return golf tee A is damaged, the whole assembly becomes useless. Further, the spring members A3 and A4 wear quickly with use.

Further, when an experienced golf player hit the golf ball away from the golf tee, the player may check the fall position of the golf tee to judge the direction of rotation the golf ball and the striking performance. However, the aforesaid auto-return golf tee does not provide this function. Because the receptacle A1 is automatically returned to the anchor nail A6 after the hit, the player cannot judge the direction of rotation of the golf ball subject to the position of the receptacle A1.

There is also a detachable golf tee, which is formed of an anchor nail and a receptacle. After hitting the golf ball, the player can check its fall position of the receptacle and judge the direction of rotation of the golf ball subject to the fall position of the receptacle. In case the player hits the bottom side of the gravity center of the golf ball, the driving force of the golf club will force the receptacle to fall to the front side, and the golf ball will roll backwards. In case the player hit the top side of the gravity center of the golf ball, the driving force of the golf club will force the golf ball to rotate in counter-clockwise direction. Subject to the fall position of the receptacle, the player can judge the striking performance. However, when the receptacle is driven away, the player will have to spend a lot of time to find the lost receptacle.

Therefore, it is desirable to provide a combined golf tee that eliminates the drawbacks of the aforesaid various prior art designs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. According to one aspect of the present invention, the combined golf tee comprises an anchoring member for fastening to the ground in a golf course, a receptacle member for mounting on the anchoring member to support a golf ball for striking by a golf player with a golf club, a cord member threaded through the anchoring member to link the receptacle member to the anchoring member so that the receptacle member can be collected for repeated uses, and a positioning means, which comprises a male positioning device securely located at the top side of the anchoring member and a female positioning device securely located at the bottom side of the receptacle member for engagement with the male positioning member to fasten the receptacle member to the anchoring member.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the anchoring member has an annular top flange extending around the head thereof and a plurality of wire holes through the annular top flange for threaded the cord member to link the receptacle member to the anchoring member.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a plurality of receptacle members of different heights may be linked to the anchoring member by the cord member so that the player can select the suitable receptacle member for supporting the golf ball on the anchoring member subject to the type of the golf club used.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a male positioning device and a female positioning device are respectively provided at the anchoring member and the receptacle member so that the detachable receptacle member can be secured to the anchoring member.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the multiple receptacle members that are linked to the anchoring member by the cord members can be selectively used to guide the striking direction when the player is striking the golf ball on the receptacle member that is selected and mounted on the anchoring member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view of a combination golf tee in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional assembly view of the first embodiment of the present invention, showing the combination golf tee fastened to the ground.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing an application example of the first embodiment of the present invention (I).

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view showing an application example of the first embodiment of the present invention (II).

FIG. 5 is a schematic side view showing an application example of the first embodiment of the present invention (III).

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a combination of golf tees in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a combination of golf tees in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing an application example of the combination of golf tees in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a combination golf tee in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of a golf tee according to the prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a combination golf tee in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention is shown comprised of an anchoring member 1, a receptacle member 2, positioning means 3, and a cord member 4.

The anchoring member 1 has a pointed stem 11 that can be anchored to the ground, and a head 12 at a top end of the pointed stem 11. The head 12 has an annular top flange 121, a circular recessed groove 13 defined within the inner diameter of the annular top flange 121, and a plurality of wire holes 122 spaced around the annular top flange 121.

The receptacle member 2 has a shank 23, a receptacle head 22 disposed at one end, namely, the top end of the shank 23 for supporting a golf ball so that a player can strike the golf ball, a connection portion 21 vertically extending downward from the other end, namely, the bottom side of the shank 23 for coupling to the anchoring member 1, and a through hole 24 transversely cut through the shank 23.

The positioning structure 3 comprises male positioning device 31 securely provided at the head 12 of the anchoring member 1, and female positioning device 32 securely provided at the connection portion 21 of the receptacle member 2 for fastening to the male positioning device 31 to secure the receptacle member 2 firmly to the anchoring member 1. The male positioning device 31 is a split block having a plurality of radial crevices 311 that allow compression of the male positioning device 31 in radial direction for insertion into the female positioning device 32. The female positioning device 32 is a socket integrated with the connection portion 21 of the receptacle member 2, having a plurality of longitudinal crevices 321 equiangularly spaced around the periphery that allows compression of the female positioning device 32. Beside, the female positioning device 32 has a diameter smaller than the male positioning device 31.

The cord member 4 is threaded through one wire hole 122 of the anchoring member 1 and the through hole 24 of the receptacle member 2, having two stop elements 41 and 42 respectively provided at two distal ends thereof. The stop elements 41 and 42 have a diameter greater than the wire holes 122 of the anchoring member 1 and the through hole 24 of the receptacle member 2.

During the assembly process, the male positioning device 31 and female positioning device 32 of the positioning means 3 are respectively provided at the head 12 of the anchoring member 1 and the connection portion 21 of the receptacle member 2, and then the cord member 4 is threaded through one wire hole 122 of the anchoring member 1 and the through hole 24 of the receptacle member 2, and then the two stop elements 41 and 42 are respectively securely fastened to the two distal ends of the cord member 4. Further, the cord member 4 may be directly wound around the anchoring member 1 and the receptacle member 2.

When inserting the connection portion 21 of the receptacle member 2 into the circular recess 13 of the anchoring member 1 to position the receptacle member 2 on the top side of the anchoring member 1, the male positioning device 31 is compressed by the female positioning device 32 to close the radial crevices 311 and the female positioning member 32 is stretched by the male positioning device 31 to expand the longitudinal crevices 321. Therefore, the male positioning device 31 is engaged into the female positioning device 32 to secure the receptacle member 2 steadily on the top side of the anchoring member 1. According to this first embodiment, the male positioning device 31 of the positioning means 3 is provided at the head 12 of the anchoring member 1, and the female positioning device 32 of the positioning means 3 is provided at the connection portion 21 of the receptacle member 2. Alternatively, the male positioning device 31 of the positioning means 3 can be provided at the connection portion 21 of the receptacle member 2, and the female positioning device 32 of the positioning means 3 can be provided at the head 12 of the anchoring member 1.

Referring to FIGS. 3˜5, when in use, the anchoring member 1 is fastened to the ground by means of the pointed stem 11, and then the connection portion 21 of the receptacle member 2 is inserted into the circular recess 13 of the anchoring member 1 to force the female positioning device 32 into engagement with the male positioning device 31. After installation of the combination golf tee, a golf ball 5 is supported on the receptacle head 22 of the receptacle member 2 so that the player can strike the golf ball 5 with a golf club 6. Upon striking, the golf ball 5 is forced to fly forwards in the striking direction, and the receptacle member 2 is forced to jump away from the anchoring member 1 in the reversed direction. At this time, the cord member 4 keeps the receptacle member 2 linked to the anchoring member 1 and can be collected for repeat uses.

FIG. 6 shows a combined golf tee in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. According to this embodiment, two cord members 4 are used to link four receptacle members 2 to the anchoring member 1. When in use, stop elements 41˜44 of the cord members 4 and the receptacle members 2 are respectively moved to different locations so that the user can strike the golf ball 5 to the desired direction based on the indication of the guide lines provided by the cord members 4 and the stop elements 41˜44.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a combined golf tee in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. According to this embodiment, the combined golf tee comprises an anchoring member 1, a first receptacle member 2, a second receptacle member 20, a positioning means 3, and a cord member 4. The anchoring member 1, first receptacle member 2 and cord member 4 of this third embodiment are identical to the like members of the aforesaid first embodiment of the present invention. Similar to the first receptacle member 2, the second receptacle member 20 has a shank 203, a receptacle head 202 disposed at one end, namely, a top end of the shank 203 for supporting a golf ball so that a player can strike the golf ball, a connection portion 201 vertically extending downward from the other end, namely, the bottom side of the shank 203 for coupling to the anchoring member 1, and a through hole 204 transversely through the shank 203 for threading the cord member 4. The positioning means 3 according to this third embodiment comprises a male positioning device 31, which is identical to the male positioning means of the aforesaid first embodiment and is provided at the anchoring member 1, a first female positioning member 32, which is identical to the female positioning means of the aforesaid first embodiment of the present invention and is provided at the connection portion 21 of the first receptacle member 2, and a second female positioning member 302, which is similar to the first female positioning member 32 and provided at the connection portion 201 of the second receptacle member 20. The first receptacle member 2 and the second receptacle member 20 have different heights for selectively used with the anchoring member 1 to support a golf ball for striking by the player subject to the player's body height or golf club being used.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a combined golf tee in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention. According to this embodiment, a stand 7 is provided for supporting the anchoring member 1 and the receptacle member 2. The stand 7 is preferably molded from rubber. This design is practical for use in an artificial lawn or on a floor pad. Directly fastening the anchoring member 1 to the artificial lawn or floor pad will damage the artificial lawn or floor pad.

In the aforesaid various embodiments, the male positioning member 31 and female positioning member 32 of the positioning means 3 are respectively provided at the head 12 of the anchoring member 1 and the connection portion 21 of the receptacle member 2 so that when the connection portion 21 of the receptacle member 2 is inserted into the circular recess 13 of the anchoring member 1, the female positioning member 32 is forced into engagement with the male positioning member 31 to secure the receptacle member 2 steadily to the anchoring member 1. Further, the cord member 4 is threaded through one wire hole 122 of the anchoring member 1 and the through hole 24 of the receptacle member 2 to link the receptacle member 2 to the anchoring member 1 so that the receptacle member 2 can be conveniently collected for a repeated use after the player hit the golf ball.

As described above, the combined golf tee of the present invention has the following benefits:

1. By means of the female positioning member 32 at the connection portion 21 of the receptacle member 2 and the male positioning member 31 at the head 12 of the anchoring member 1, the receptacle member 2 can steadily be mounted on the top side of the anchoring member 1 to support the golf ball for striking.

2. Because the female positioning member 32 has longitudinal crevices 321 and the male positioning member 31 has radial crevices 311, the male positioning means 31 can be compressed and the female positioning member 32 can be stretched for enabling the male positioning member 31 and the female positioning member 32 to be engaged together to secure the receptacle member 2 steadily to the anchoring member 1.

3. The anchoring member 1 has wire holes 122 in the head 12 and the receptacle member 2 has a through hole 24 across the shank 23, and the cord member 4 is threaded through one wire hole 122 of the anchoring member 1 and the through hole 24 of the receptacle member 2 to link the receptacle member 2 to the anchoring member 1 for enabling the receptacle member 2 to be conveniently collected for a repeated use when it jumped away from the anchoring member 1 after the player hit the golf ball.

A prototype of the combined golf tee has been constructed with the features of FIGS. 1˜9. The combined golf tee functions smoothly to provide all of the features discussed earlier.

Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in details for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims. 

1. A combined golf tee comprising: an anchoring member for anchoring to the ground in a golf course, said anchoring member has a head, a plurality of wire holes, and a pointed stem extending downwardly from the bottom side of said head for fastening to the ground; at least one receptacle member for selectively mounting on said anchoring member to support a golf ball for striking by a golf player with a golf club, said at least one receptacle member each having a shank, said shank having a top end and a bottom end, a receptacle head disposed at the top end of said shank for supporting a golf ball for striking, a through hole transversely through said shank, and a connection portion disposed at the bottom end of said shank for connection to said anchoring member; at least one cord member threaded through said wire holes of said anchoring member and said through hole of each of said at least one receptacle member to link said at least one receptacle member to said anchoring member; and a positioning means, said positioning means comprising a male positioning device provides at said head of the anchoring member, and at least one female positioning device provides at said connection portion of each of the receptacle member for engagement with the male positioning device for enabling the receptacle member to be selectively secured to the head of the anchoring member to support a golf ball for striking.
 2. The combined golf tee as claimed in claim 1, wherein the head of the anchoring member has a circular recess at a top side thereof for receiving the connection portion of one of said at least one receptacle member; the male positioning device is provided in said circular recess.
 3. The combined golf tee as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one female positioning device each is a socket; said male positioning device is a positioning block for engaging into the socket of one of the female positioning device.
 4. The combined golf tee as claimed in claim 3, wherein the male positioning device is a split block having a plurality of radial crevices.
 5. The combined golf tee as claimed in claim 3, wherein said at least one female positioning member each is a split socket having a plurality of longitudinal crevices.
 6. The combined golf tee as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one receptacle member includes a plurality of receptacle members having different heights.
 7. The combined golf tee as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one cord member is respectively wound round said anchoring member and said at least one receptacle member. 